Pakistani Students at
UC Berkeley Hold Earthquake Vigil
A Pakistan Link Report
From left: PSA Table, ‘Dil
Se’ singers and vigil participants |
The Pakistani Students Association
at UC Berkeley held a “South Asian Earthquake Relief
Memorial Candle Light Vigil” at the Upper Sproul Plaza
steps at the campus on Thursday, October 26, 2006. The event
was held to remember the victims of the October 8, 2005 earthquake
devastation and the efforts of various individuals and organizations
who worked tirelessly to get help to the suffering millions
in Northern Pakistan.
PSA President Nadir Shams made the introductions as the event
started off with light songs by the South Asian “Dil
Se” group of singers which attracted some curiosity
from passersby.
From
left: ISA representative, Hidaya Foundation representative
and UNICEF representatives |
Addressing the gathering, Ras
Siddiqui, thanked the Berkeley volunteers, Mayor Tom Bates
and several area groups that helped out Pakistanis in dire
need last year. A chronological presentation of some of the
fundraising events that took place in the region and reported
on in the Pakistan Link was presented.
Osman Ergene from the Hidaya Foundation followed with a presentation
of his organization’s efforts for this cause. He asked
the question “What now?” and said that the need
for more help still existed. Hidaya certainly did a great
job on this project and rightly deserved the recent award
presented by Pakistan ’s President General Pervez Musharraf
during his recent visit to the United States.
Two representatives from the UNICEF organization also addressed
the gathering. They reminded everyone that the trauma was
still present. India Students Association Raheel made a call
for lasting peace between India and Pakistan and lamented
the fact that it takes disasters for the two countries to
help each other out.
The PSA at Berkeley needs to be commended for its efforts.
It was too windy for candles but everyone improvised quite
well.
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